ABUJA: The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend the proposed rollout of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The lawmakers insisted that full implementation should not take place until 2030.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kelechi Wogu during Thursday’s plenary.
The motion, titled Need for Intervention to Avert Massive Failure in the Proposed 2026 WAEC Computer-Based Examination, warned that rushing into digital examinations could lead to widespread failure, frustration, and psychological distress among candidates.
Wogu said the Ministry of Education was determined to proceed with the CBT model despite objections from the National Union of Teachers and school administrators—especially in rural areas where over 70 per cent of WAEC candidates reside.
According to him, most secondary schools outside major cities lack basic infrastructure such as functional computer laboratories, steady internet connection, reliable electricity, and trained ICT personnel.
He cited the technical glitches that affected the 2025 WAEC result-checking portal as proof that the system was not ready for a nationwide digital transition.
The computer-based system requires fully equipped halls with functional computers, stable internet and uninterrupted power supply. Many schools are simply not ready for that level of transition, he said.
To bridge the infrastructure gap, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Education to work with states to include in their 2026–2029 budgets provisions for:
-
Recruitment of computer and ICT teachers
-
Construction of ICT halls
-
Installation of reliable internet facilities
-
Provision of power backup systems
The House further ruled that WAEC must not implement CBT before the 2030 academic year.
Additionally, the Committees on Basic Education, Digital and Information Technology, Examination Bodies, and Labour were directed to engage relevant stakeholders and submit a report within four weeks.
WAEC announced in 2024 that it would begin full CBT implementation by 2026, a decision that triggered intense debate nationwide.
Teachers, parents, and educational bodies argued that schools especially public institutions in rural communities lack the needed equipment and trained personnel.
Proponents of the policy, however, maintain that CBT will reduce examination malpractice, enhance transparency, and modernise Nigeria’s education system.
In September, WAEC listed the facilities schools must provide ahead of full CBT migration, including:
-
A minimum of 250 functional laptops with 10% backups
-
A robust server capable of supporting 250 computers simultaneously
-
A Local Area Network (LAN) setup
-
Air-conditioning and adequate lighting
-
A 40kVA backup generator and uninterrupted electricity supply
-
CCTV surveillance systems
-
A designated holding room for candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) pioneered CBT in 2013 and successfully conducted an entirely computer-based UTME by 2015.
Since then, other exam bodies including NECO and NABTEB have introduced elements of CBT on a pilot basis.
However, persistent challenges remain poor digital infrastructure, erratic electricity supply, weak internet connectivity, and limited computer access in many public schools.
With the new directive from the House, WAEC’s transition to CBT will now stretch over the next five years.
The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend the proposed rollout of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The lawmakers insisted that full implementation should not take place until 2030.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kelechi Wogu during Thursday’s plenary.
The motion, titled Need for Intervention to Avert Massive Failure in the Proposed 2026 WAEC Computer-Based Examination, warned that rushing into digital examinations could lead to widespread failure, frustration, and psychological distress among candidates.
Wogu said the Ministry of Education was determined to proceed with the CBT model despite objections from the National Union of Teachers and school administrators especially in rural areas where over 70 per cent of WAEC candidates reside.
According to him, most secondary schools outside major cities lack basic infrastructure such as functional computer laboratories, steady internet connection, reliable electricity, and trained ICT personnel.
He cited the technical glitches that affected the 2025 WAEC result-checking portal as proof that the system was not ready for a nationwide digital transition.
The computer-based system requires fully equipped halls with functional computers, stable internet and uninterrupted power supply. Many schools are simply not ready for that level of transition, he said.
To bridge the infrastructure gap, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Education to work with states to include in their 2026–2029 budgets provisions for:
-
Recruitment of computer and ICT teachers
-
Construction of ICT halls
-
Installation of reliable internet facilities
-
Provision of power backup systems
The House further ruled that WAEC must not implement CBT before the 2030 academic year.
Additionally, the Committees on Basic Education, Digital and Information Technology, Examination Bodies, and Labour were directed to engage relevant stakeholders and submit a report within four weeks.
WAEC announced in 2024 that it would begin full CBT implementation by 2026, a decision that triggered intense debate nationwide.
Teachers, parents, and educational bodies argued that schools especially public institutions in rural communities lack the needed equipment and trained personnel.
Proponents of the policy, however, maintain that CBT will reduce examination malpractice, enhance transparency, and modernise Nigeria’s education system.
In September, WAEC listed the facilities schools must provide ahead of full CBT migration, including:
-
A minimum of 250 functional laptops with 10% backups
-
A robust server capable of supporting 250 computers simultaneously
-
A Local Area Network (LAN) setup
-
Air-conditioning and adequate lighting
-
A 40kVA backup generator and uninterrupted electricity supply
-
CCTV surveillance systems
-
A designated holding room for candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) pioneered CBT in 2013 and successfully conducted an entirely computer-based UTME by 2015.
Since then, other exam bodies including NECO and NABTEB have introduced elements of CBT on a pilot basis.
However, persistent challenges remain poor digital infrastructure, erratic electricity supply, weak internet connectivity, and limited computer access in many public schools.
With the new directive from the House, WAEC’s transition to CBT will now stretch over the next five years.
